Obama urges solidarity to preserve democracy in final speech

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US President Barack Obama on Tuesday delivered his final presidential address to the nation in his hometown of Chicago. In a speech just 10 days before leaving office, he stressed the state of the nation’s democracy and urged all Americans to unite.

"There have been moments throughout our history that threatened to rupture that solidarity,” the president said.

“The beginning of this century has been one of those times. A shrinking world, growing inequality; demographic change and the specter of terrorism - these forces haven’t just tested our security and prosperity, but our democracy as well,” he warned.

US President Barack Obama cries during his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, on January 10, 2017. /CFP Photo

“And how we meet these challenges to our democracy will determine our ability to educate our kids, and create good jobs, and protect our homeland,” Obama argued.

The president pointed out forces that threaten the nation’s future, such as economic and national security threats, race relations and a hardening political divide, and he called on US citizens to accept their responsibility of citizenship.

“It falls to each of us to be those anxious, jealous guardians of our democracy; to embrace the joyous task we’ve been given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours. Because for all our outward differences, we all share the same proud title: Citizen.”

Supporters listen to US President Barack Obama's farewell speech at McCormick Place on January 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. /CFP Photo

Obama also highlighted policies he sees as the benchmarks of his legacy during his eight-year tenure.

His time in the Oval Office included the US economy’s recovery from the biggest recession since the Great Depression, his landmark healthcare law, the reduction of US troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, the re-establishment of US relations with Cuba, a deal with Iran to restrain its nuclear program and an international climate change agreement.

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Obama on all of those policies, although it remains unclear how Trump will attempt to change them.

Obama referred only once to Trump during his speech.

“In 10 days, the world will witness a hallmark of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power from one freely-elected president to the next. I committed to President-elect Trump that my administration would ensure the smoothest possible transition, just as President Bush did for me. Because it’s up to all of us to make sure our government can help us meet the many challenges we still face.”

US First Lady Michelle Obama hugs US President Barack Obama as daughter Malia looks on after the president delivered his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, on January 10, 2017. /CFP Photo

At the end of his 50-minute long speech, Obama was joined on stage by his wife Michelle, his daughter Malia, and Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

The scene was reminiscent of his election victory speech in 2008.‍

Obama ends his eight years in office on something of a high note, with his highest approval rating in seven years -- 55 percent, according to the latest IBD/TIPP poll. Obama came into office with sky-high approval ratings - topping 70 percent - but that tumbled as the sluggish economic recovery dragged on and foreign crises erupted. Obama's average approval rating for his second term was just 48.7 percent.

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